• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.77-95
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• 2003

Many factors affect foot and ankle biomechanics during walking, including gait speed and anthropometric characteristics. However, speed has not been taken into account in foot kinematics and kinetics during walking. This study examined the effect of walking speed on foot joint motion and peak plantar pressure during the walking phase. Eighty healthy subjects (40 men, 40 women) were recruited. Maximal dorsiflexion and excursion were measured at the first metatarsophalangeal joints during walking phase at three different cadences (80, 100, and 120 step/min) using a three dimensional motion analysis system (CMS70P). At the same time, peak plantar pressure was investigated using pressure distribution platforms (MatScan system) under the hallux heads of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones and heel. Maximal dorsiflexion and excursion and excursion at the ankle joint decreased significantly with increasing walking speed. Peak plantar pressure increased significantly under the heads of the first of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones, and heel with increasing walking speed: three was no change under the hallux. There were no significant changes in maximal dorsiflexion or excursion at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The results show that walking speed should be considered when comparing gait parameters. The results also suggest that slow walking speeds may decrease forefoot peak plantar pressure in patients with peripheral neuropathy who have a high risk of skin breakdown under the forefoot.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.8-17
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of hip joint mobilization (HJM) on walking ability, balance ability, and the joint range of motion in stroke patients to minimize the problems of the musculoskeletal system in patients with central nervous system diseases. All volunteers were randomly assigned to the HJM group ($n_1=14$) and the general neurodevelopment therapy (NDT) group ($n_2=16$). The HJM procedure involved applying Maitland mobilization techniques (distraction, lateral gliding, inferior gliding, and anterior gliding) by grade 3 to both hip joint. The mobilization process included mobilization and NDT for 15 min/day, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The outcome measures were evaluated, including the hip joint passive range of motion (ROM) test and femur head anterior glide test (FHAG) using prone figure four test, dynamic and static balance abilities [timed up and go (TUG) test and center of pressure (COP) analysis], and walking ability [10-meter walking test (10MWT) and 6-min walking test (6MWT)]. Both the groups showed significant post-training differences in the hip joint ROM (FHAG and degree of hip extension) and 10MWT. The post-training improvements in the TUG test were significantly greater in patients of the HJM group than in the NDT group; however, there were no post-training improvements in COP in both groups. Patients in the HJM group showed post-training improvement in the 6MWT; however, statistically significant differences were not observed. Patients in the NDT group showed post-training improvements in the 6MWT. These results suggest that HJM improves hip joint ROM, dynamic balance ability, and walking speed in stroke patients. However, further studies are required to evaluate the long-term therapeutic efficacy of HJM in stroke patients.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

This study aims to provide a customized dynamic kiosk screen that considers user characteristics to cope with changes caused by increased use of kiosks. In order to optimize the screen composition according to the characteristics of the digital vulnerable group such as the visually impaired, the elderly, children, and wheelchair users, etc., users are classified into nine categories based on real-time analysis of user characteristics (wheelchair use, visual impairment, age, etc.). The kiosk screen is dynamically adjusted according to the characteristics of the user to provide efficient services. This study shows that the system communication and operation were performed in the embedded environment, and the used object detection, gait recognition, and speech recognition technologies showed accuracy of 74%, 98.9%, and 96%, respectively. The proposed technology was verified for its effectiveness by implementing a prototype, and through this, this study showed the possibility of reducing the digital gap and providing user-friendly "barrier-free kiosk" services.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate change of muscle activities during level walking, stairs and ramp climbing in old adults. Methods: Twelve old adults were recruited and agreed this study. Muscle activity was measured by MP150 system (BIOPAC System Inc., Santa Barbara, USA). Statistical analysis was used one-way ANOVA to know the difference according to gait conditions (level walking, stairs and ramp ascending) Results: In stance phase, muscle activities of low extremities with old adults were generally significant difference in ramp ascending. In swing phase, rectus femoris and biceps femoris activity in old adults generally more increased during stairs ascending and tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius activity in old adults generally increased during ramp ascending. Conclusion: These results indicate that stair and ramp climbing is different muscle recruit pattern to level walking.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.35-43
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare spatio-temporal parameters during walking between patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and a control group matched for age, height, and weight. Thirty-three subjects were included in this study. Fifteen normal subjects (age, $63.3{\pm}5.8$ yrs; height, $164.1{\pm}8.7$ cm; weight, $60.7{\pm}17.5$ kg) and eighteen patients (age, $64.0{\pm}7.7$ yrs; height, $164.7{\pm}7.3$ cm; weight, $63.6{\pm}7.7$ kg) participated in the study. The Vicon 512 Motion analysis system was used for gait analysis in each group during walking, with and without an obstacle. The measured spatio-temporal parameters were cadence, walking speed, stride time, step time, single limb support time, double limb support time, stride length, and step length. Results in stride length and step length, when walking without an obstacle, showed a significantly greater decrease in the patient group compared to the control group. During walking with an obstacle, the patient group showed a significantly greater decrease in the step length as compared to the control group. For the control group, there were significant decreases in parameters of cadence and walking speed and increases in parameters of stride time, step time, and single limb support time when walking with an obstacle. The patient group had lower cadence and walking speed and higher stride time, step time, and single limb support time during walking with an obstacle than in walking without an obstacle. These results suggest that patients with Parkinson's disease who walk over an obstacle can decrease cadence, stride length, and step length. Further study is needed, performed with more obstacles and combined with other external cues, such as visual or acoustic guides.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.135-142
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of walking on high heels on the behavior of fascicle length and activation of the lower limb muscles. Methods: Twelve healthy inexperienced high heel wearers (age: $23.1{\pm}2.0yr$, height: $162.4{\pm}4.9cm$, weight: $54.4{\pm}8.5kg$) participated in this study. They walked in high heels (7 cm) and barefoot on a treadmill at their preferred speed. During the gait analysis, the lower limb joint kinematics were obtained using a motion analysis system. In addition, the changes in fascicle length and the level of activation of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) were simultaneously monitored using a real-time ultrasound imaging technique and surface electromyography, respectively. Results: The results of this study show that the MG fascicle operates at a significantly shorter length in high heel walking ($37.64{\pm}8.59mm$ to $43.99{\pm}8.66mm$) in comparison with barefoot walking ($48.26{\pm}9.02mm$ to $53.99{\pm}8.54mm$) (p < .05). In addition, the MG fascicle underwent lengthening during high heel walking with relatively low muscle activation while it remained isometric during barefoot walking with relatively high muscle activation. Conclusion: Wearing high heels alters the operating range of the MG fascicle length and the pattern of muscle activation, suggesting that prolonged wearing of high heels might induce structural alterations of the MG that, in turn, hinder normal functioning of the MG muscle during walking.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.83-98
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest of plantar pressures using the F-Scan system over speeds and plantar regions. 6 healthy female subjects in 20's were recruited for the study. Plantar pressure measurements during locomotor activities can provide information concerning foot function, particularly if the timing and magnitude of the loading profile can be related to the location of specific foot structures such as the metatarsal heads. The Tekscan F-Scan system consists of a flexible, 0.18mm thick sole-shape having 1260 pressure sensors, the sensor insole was trimmed to fit the subjects' right. left shoes - sneakers shoes & dress shoes. It was calibrated by the known weight of the test subject standing on one foot. The Tekscan measurements show the insole pressure distribution as a function of the time. This finding has important implications for the development of plantar pressure test protocols where the function of the forefoot is important. According to the result of analysis it is as follows 1) Center of force trajectory in women's dress shoes display direct movement, compare with center of force trajectory in Sneaker shoes displays a little bit curved slow pronation movement. Sneaker shoes in forefoot part display very quick supination movement, therefore, this shoes effects negative effectiveness for ankle's stability Considering center of force trajectory analyzing the more center of force close straight line, the more movement can be quick movement for locomotion. For foot pressure distribution, center of force trajectory in locomotion is better to curved trajectory with pronation movement. So sneaker shoes style is good shoes considering center of pressure distribution trajectory compare with women's dress shoes. 2) Women's dress shoes increased peak pressure in medial, this is effected by high hill's height. The more increased women's dress shoes's height, the more women's peak pressure will increase, pronation can increase compare with before. Supination movement increase, this focused pressure in lateral, also, supination increased more. If the supination movement increased, foot pressure focused in lateral, therefore, it is appeared force distribution in gait direction. This is bad movement in foot's stability. 3) Women's dress shoes in landing phase displayed a long time, this is when women's dress shoes wear, gait movement is unbalance, so, landing phase displayed a long time. For compensation in gait, swing phase quick movement. 4) Women's dress shoes displayed peak pressure distribution in lateral of rearfoot part, Sneakers shoes displayed peak pressure distribution in medial of forefoot part. Its results has good impact absorption compare with women's dress shoes. In forefoot part, sneakers shoes has good propulsive force compare with women's dress shoes.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2015

This paper presents a wireless ground reaction force (GRF) sensing system for ambulatory GRF recording. The system is largely divided into three parts: force sensing modules based on optical sensor, outsole type frame, and embedded system for wireless communication. The force sensing module has advantages of the low height, robustness to the moment interference, and stable response in long term use. In simulation study, the strain and stress properties were examined to satisfy the requirements of the GRF sensing system. Four sensing modules were mounted on the toe, ball, and heel of foot shaped frame, respectively. The GRF signals were extracted using Micrpcontroller unit and transferred to the smart phone via Bluetooth communication. We measured the GRF during the normal walking for the validation of the continuous recording capability. The recorded GRF was comparable to the off the shelf stationary force plate.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.16-25
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during descent ramp climbing at different inclinations. Twenty-three subjects descended four steps at four different inclinations (level, $-8^{\circ}$, $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$). The 3-D kinematics were measured by a camera-based Falcon System. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. The kinematics of descent ramp walking could be clearly distinguished from the kinematics of level walking. On a sagittal plane, the ankle joint was more plantar flexed at initial contact with $-16^{\circ}/-24^{\circ}$ inclination, was decreased in the toe off position with all inclinations (p<.001),and was decreased at maximum plantar flexion during the swing phase (p<.001). The knee joint was more flexed at initial contact with the $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.001), was more flexed in the toe off position with all inclinations (p<.001), and was more flexed at minimum flexion during stance phase and at maximum flexion during swing phase with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.001). The hip joint was more flexed in the toe off position with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination and was deceased at maximum extension during stance phase with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.05). In the frontal plane, the ankle joint was more everted at maximum eversion during stance phase with $-16^{\circ}/-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.01) and was decreased at maximum inversion during swing phase with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.01). The knee joint was more increased at maximum varus during stance phase with $-16^{\circ}/-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.001). The hip joint was deceased at maximum adduction during stance phase with $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.05). In a horizontal plane, only the knee joint was increased at maximum internal rotation during stance phase with $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.05). In descent ramp walking, the different gait patterns occurred at an inclination of over $16^{\circ}$ on the descending ramp in the sagittal and frontal planes. These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between level walking and descent ramp walking gait patterns.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.136-141
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• 2002

This paper presents a design and a control of a biped walking RGO-robot and dynamic walking simulation for this system. The biped walking RGO-robot is distinguished from other one by which has a very light-weight and a new AGO type with servo motors. The gait of a biped walking RGO-robot depends on the constrains of mechanical kinematics and initial posture. The stability of dynamic walking is investigated by ZMP(Zero Moment Point) of the biped walking RGO-robot. It is designed according to a human wear type and is able to accomodate itself to human environments. The joints of each leg are adopted with a good kinematic characteristics. To test of the analysis of joint kinematic properties, we did the strain stress analysis of dynamic PLS and the study of FEM with a dynamic PLS. It will be expect that the spinal cord injury patients are able to train effectively with a biped walking AGO-robot.